Chapter 0
Chapter 0
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Prologue - The Duchess Who's Different Inside and Out
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It was the summer I turned eight—the day I first met my fiancée, Elena. To be precise, Elena Rozier, the eldest daughter of Duke Rozier.
The Arbel Kingdom's one of the three great ducal houses, the family in charge of foreign trade under Duke Albert Rozier.
...Well, I wasn't meeting her with any grand expectations. I already knew that engagements between royals and nobles weren't exactly thrilling affairs.
Too unrefined, too vain, too immature, or too quick to tears.
I just hoped she wouldn't have any of those flaws...and at least she seemed decent enough on the outside.
"The eldest daughter of the House of Duke Rozier, Elena Rozier. It is a true honor to meet Cedric Arbel, His Highness the First Prince."
Snow-white hair—no, if anything, closer to ash-gray—and violet eyes.
My first impression was of a girl who seemed somehow like a 'doll.' The epitome of a noble lady, perhaps.
Her poise and etiquette were impressively solid for a seven-year-old. At the very least, she seemed a cut above the ladies I'd seen at the palace socials.
'Still, she looks like a boring one.'
If she became queen, she'd probably just focus on state affairs with those cold eyes. In our marital relations, she'd likely stick to the bare minimum of duty.
...No helping it. This engagement was for solidifying ties with the Rozier ducal house from the start—I couldn't back out just because she wasn't to my taste.
"Standing and talking like this feels a bit awkward, so please come inside, Your Highness."
"Yes, of course."
The life of royalty is inherently dreadfully dull.
Love, marriage—all of it boils down to tools of politics in the end.
Even if I hadn't lived many years yet, I knew that much.
"Lady Elena seems far more refined than other ladies her age. Is it perhaps the policy of the Rozier ducal house...?"
"Phew, I thought I was gonna die of boredom. Making a seven-year-old wear high heels—what were they thinking? Even if it's in front of a prince."
"...Lady Elena?"
"Oh, sorry. I sent all the servants away, so relax. You've had that bored look on your face since earlier. No need to stand on ceremony around me."
"......"
...But perhaps that tediously boring life of mine might start to change a little from today onward.